Manchester United’s style of play criticised by chief executive of Adidas

• ‘We are satisfied … even if the playing style is not exactly what we want to see’
• Adidas began 10-year deal with United last summer, worth £750m

Herbert Hainer, the chief executive of Adidas, says business with Manchester United is prospering but their style of play is ‘not exactly what we want to see’.
Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United’s style of play under Louis van Gaal has been criticised by the chief executive of Adidas, who signed a £750m kit sponsorship deal with the club last summer.

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United ended a run of eight matches without a victory with the 2-1 win over Swansea on Saturday and despite widespread criticism for a stagnant style of play, Van Gaal claimed afterwards that in their last two matches – also including the goalless draw against Chelsea – his side had adopted a riskier approach.

Nonetheless, Manchester United have scored just 12 goals at home this season and Van Gaal’s position remains precarious with the club currently in fifth place and out of the Champions League. The comments made by Herbert Hainer, whose company agreed a 10-year deal to replace Nike as Manchester United’s kit sponsor last summer, will not have helped.

“Business with Man United is going very well, we sell more shirts than expected,” he told the newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung. “We are satisfied … even if the current playing style of Man United is not exactly what we want to see.”